Is Columbia or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Columbia (Safety Score 35/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,667 for Columbia — 17% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 29.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 2,212.5 | +454.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 728.5 | -379.5 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 7.0 | +3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 40.3 | -1.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 209.9 | -170.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 471.4 | -212.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 1,483.9 | +833.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 372.8 | -39.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 851.5 | +754.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 259.6 | +119.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,667 for Columbia — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Columbia has lower violent crime.
About Columbia, MO
Columbia, home to the University of Missouri, is a vibrant college town in central Missouri's Boone County. Its "District" area features historic buildings and local businesses, reflecting its growth as a regional hub. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 130,354, Columbia has a total crime rate of 2,666.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.